Truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water.

The words of Miguel de Cervantes—“Truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water”—flow like a timeless proverb, filled with imagery that all can see. In this simple comparison, Cervantes, the great author of Don Quixote, declares that truth is lighter, purer, and nobler than falsehood, and though it may be submerged for a time, it will always ascend, just as oil cannot be held beneath water. Lies may spread, deceits may flourish, but their weight drags them down, while truth, by its very nature, cannot remain hidden forever.

The ancients often used the elements of nature as teachers of wisdom, and Cervantes follows this same path. Water and oil, when poured together, do not mix; they reveal their differences, with oil always rising to the surface. So too with truth and lies—they may appear entangled in the moment, but time reveals their separation. Lies sink with the heaviness of corruption, while truth shines with the lightness of purity. This is not merely a hope—it is a law woven into the order of the world.

History offers us many witnesses to this law. Consider the life of Galileo Galilei, condemned for declaring that the Earth moves around the Sun. For a season, falsehood seemed to triumph, for Galileo was silenced and truth suppressed. Yet, in time, truth rose, vindicated by the movements of the heavens themselves. The Church that condemned him could not hold back the oil of reality—it surfaced, unshakable, and now Galileo’s name shines while his accusers are remembered for their blindness. This is Cervantes’ teaching made flesh: truth, though pressed beneath the waters of deceit, cannot be drowned.

We see it again in the life of Nelson Mandela. Branded a criminal, confined to prison, and condemned by the falsehoods of apartheid, it seemed that lies had triumphed. Yet truth, like oil, rose slowly but surely. After twenty-seven years, Mandela emerged not broken but strong, and the truth of equality could no longer be suppressed. Lies collapsed under their own weight, and truth floated free for all to see. His story reminds us that truth does not need haste—it simply endures until the time comes when its nature can no longer be denied.

Yet, this truth also calls us to patience. Oil may rise above water, but not in an instant. Lies may cloud the surface for a time, and those who love truth may despair when they see falsehood reigning. But Cervantes reminds us: do not fear, for truth is eternal, and lies are temporary. Like oil rising, it may be slow, but it is certain. To live in truth is to live with faith in this law of nature and spirit—that though you may suffer in the moment, your honesty will stand when deceit has collapsed.

The lesson for us is clear: cling to truth, even when falsehood seems strong. Do not compromise your honesty for temporary gain, for lies will eventually betray you, dragging you down. Live with patience, with courage, and with faith that truth has a power that needs no defense but time. In the home, in the workplace, in society, be as oil: light, pure, and steadfast. Let your words and deeds reflect reality, and in time you will be vindicated, for nothing can keep truth submerged.

Therefore, O seeker, remember Cervantes’ wisdom: truth rises, lies sink. It is the nature of the universe, as sure as the rising of the sun and the flowing of rivers. Align yourself with truth, and you will find yourself lifted above the waters of confusion and deceit. Stand with lies, and you will sink into darkness. Choose well, for though falsehood may seem mighty for a season, truth is eternal, and in the end, it always rises to the surface, bright and undeniable.